Fuel transportation and delivery apparatus

ABSTRACT

Fuel delivery vessels and vehicles are described. Some embodiments include nozzles for access by an operator. Some embodiments include optimized size and material characteristics. Some embodiments include various dispensing systems.

BACKGROUND

Delivery vehicles for transporting and delivering fluid commodities(e.g., fuels such as propane) generally include various fluidconnections for exchange of fluid (e.g., vapor and/or liquid) to andfrom a cargo tank or vessel of the vehicle. These fluid connections maybe accessed frequently by an operator when making deliveries orperforming refilling or maintenance operations. The ease and efficiencyof use of these fluid connections are thus a limiting factor in theoverall effectiveness of the vehicle for a given operation. Theeffectiveness of the vehicle may also be limited by the size of thecargo tank and the selection of appropriate cargo tank sizes may belimited by economic factors affecting the operation.

Thus there is a need in the art for a fuel transportation and deliveryapparatus having improved efficiency and effectiveness.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a vessel.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an expanded rear elevation view of the vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a vapor equalizing connectionassembly.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a liquid fill connection assembly.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of a fuel deliveryvehicle.

FIG. 8 is an expanded side elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicleof FIG. 7 with certain components not shown for clarity.

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an expanded rear elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicleof FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view of another embodiment of a fueldelivery vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicle of FIG.11.

FIG. 13 is an expanded side elevation view of the fuel delivery vehicleof FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a partial rear elevation view of another embodiment of a fueldelivery vehicle having an embodiment of an autogas delivery system.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the autogas delivery system of FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the autogas delivery system of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of an autogas delivery nozzle.

FIG. 18 is a partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a fueldelivery vehicle.

FIG. 19 is a partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a fueldelivery vehicle.

FIG. 20 is a partial side elevation view of another embodiment of a fueldelivery vehicle.

DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-4illustrate an embodiment of a vessel 100 (e.g., a cargo tank forcontaining a fluid commodity such as propane or other fuel in liquidand/or vapor phase).

The vessel 100 optionally includes a cylindrical shell 170 mounted(e.g., by welding at a first annular seam 119) to a rear head 110 andmounted (e.g., by welding at a second annular seam 129) to a forwardhead 120. The heads 110, 120 optionally comprise a plurality of plates(such as plates 112 a through 112 e) which may be formed (e.g., pressed)prior to being joined (e.g., e.g., by welding) to form a generallyhead-shaped (e.g., dome-shaped) structure; in other embodiments theheads may comprise unitary structures. The shell 170 and heads 110 areoptionally made of metal such as steel (e.g., a high-strength steel suchas ASME 517E or ASME 516-70, or in other embodiments a mild steel suchas ASME 612). After the shell 170 and heads 110, 120 are joined andcertain additional components have been mounted thereto as describedherein, in some embodiments (optionally including those made fromhigh-strength steel) the vessel 100 may be heat treated (e.g., quenchedand tempered) prior to completion of the vessel and mounting the vesselto the vehicle as described herein.

The vessel 100 is optionally mounted to rails 177-1, 177-2 for mountingto a vehicle chassis. The rails 177-1, 177-2 are optionally generallyparallel and mounted to a lower portion of the shell 170. A lateralspacing of the rails 177-1, 177-2 optionally corresponds to a lateralwidth of the vehicle chassis. In embodiments in which the vessel 100 isheat treated, the rails 177-1, 177-2 are optionally mounted (e.g.,welded) to rail mounting pads 179-1, 179-2 respectively which areoptionally welded to the shell 170 prior to heat treating.

The vessel 100 is optionally provided with fluid connections (e.g.,inlets, outlets) for placing the interior volume of the vessel in fluidcommunication (and/or mechanical contact) with atmosphere or with othercomponents as described herein. The fluid connections optionally includea bypass connection 132 for connecting the vessel 100 to a differentialbypass valve (not shown), which may be configured to permit a fluidcommodity (e.g., a fuel such as propane) to flow back into the vessel100 when a pump pressure exceeds a threshold associated with the bypassvalve. The fluid connections optionally include an indicator connection138. The indicator connection 138 optionally includes openings and/orother features for obtaining temperature, pressure and fill levelmeasurements from the interior of the vessel 100. Temperaturemeasurements may be displayed to the operator by a temperature gaugeoptionally mounted at the indicator connection 138 and optionally incommunication with a temperature probe (not shown) disposed in theinterior volume of the vessel 100. Pressure measurements may bedisplayed to the operator by a pressure gauge optionally incommunication with a pressure sensor (not shown) disposed in theinterior volume of the vessel 100. Fill level indication may bepresented to the user by opening a selectively openable valve (notshown) which permits fluid to evacuate the vessel when the fill heightmeets or exceeds the height of an outlet tube 139 optionally in fluidcommunication with the indicator connection 138. Fill level indicationmay also be presented to the user by a fill level gauge (not shown) incommunication with a fill level opening 135; the fill level gauge isoptionally operably connected to a float (not shown) which is optionallybuoyantly retained at or above the fill level of the vessel 100. Thefill level gauge reading optionally increases with increasing height ofthe float.

The fluid connections optionally include a pump outlet 176 which isoptionally in fluid communication with a pump (e.g., pump 276illustrated in FIG. 9 described herein) which pumps the fluid commodity(e.g., fuel) through a meter to a delivery nozzle. The pump outlet 176is optionally disposed on the shell 170 and near the bottom of thevessel 100.

The fluid connections optionally include a drain outlet 178 disposed ator near the bottom of the vessel 100 (e.g., at the bottom of the shell170 as illustrated) in order to permit fluid to drain from the tank bygravity when the outlet 178 is opened.

The fluid connections optionally include a vapor outlet 136 (e.g.,provided in the rear head 110) and a liquid outlet 122 (e.g., providedin the forward head 120). The vapor outlet 136 may be operably connectedto a selectively actuatable nozzle 137 as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The fluid connections optionally include a relief outlet 174 (e.g.,provided on an upper portion of the shell 170) which is optionally influid communication with a relief valve (not shown) configured torelease vapor from the vapor space in the upper portion of the vessel100 when the vessel pressure exceeds a threshold pressure associatedwith the relief valve.

Some or all of the fluid connections described herein optionallycomprise flanges such as annular flanges. The flanges are optionallymounted (e.g., by a welding process such as flush welding) to openingsprovided in the vessel 100, optionally prior to any application of heattreating (e.g., quenching and tempering) to the vessel. The flangesoptionally define an axis normal (or approximately normal or generallynormal) to a plane defined by the openings in which the flanges aremounted; for example, an opening in the flange may define a central axisnormal to the opening, or an annular surface of the flange may define acentral axis normal to the opening. In other embodiments, one or morefluid connections may comprise a coupling mounted in the opening at anon-normal angle to a plane defined by the opening in which the couplingis mounted, e.g., by fillet welding.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the fluid connections optionally include avapor equalizing connection assembly 500. The assembly 500 optionallyincludes a flange 510 (e.g., an annular flange) having an opening 520(e.g., circular opening) therethrough. The flange 510 is optionallymounted in an opening provided in the pressure vessel, e.g., in theplate 112 e of head 110 as illustrated. The flange 510 (e.g., theopening 520 thereof and/or the outer circumference thereof) optionallydefines an axis A-5 which is optionally normal to the opening in whichthe flange 510 is mounted (e.g., normal to a plane defined by theopening). A portion of the flange 510 (e.g., a central, widened portionas illustrated) is optionally flush with the surface of the pressurevessel. The opening 520 is optionally in fluid communication with a tube530 which optionally extends to an upper portion of the pressure vessel100. An upper portion of the tube 530 is optionally supported by abracket 532 mounted (e.g., by welding, optionally prior to heattreatment) to an interior surface of the vessel 100. In some embodiments(e.g., embodiments in which the vessel is heat treated, such as byquenching and tempering, prior to installation of the tube 530) thebracket 532 is optionally mounted (e.g., by welding) to a reinforcementpad 533 which is in turn mounted (e.g., by welding) to an interiorsurface of the vessel 100.

In installation of the flange 510, an inner weld (e.g., flush weld) isoptionally applied within a circumferential groove Ci-5 (e.g., av-shaped groove) on the interior surface of the vessel and disposedradially between the outer surface of the flange and the opening in thevessel 100. The groove Ci-5 may be formed by the angle of the outersurface of the flange relative to the inner surface of the opening inthe vessel 100, which may be determined by the shape of the outersurface of the flange and/or by the shape of the inner surface of theopening, which may be modified by a shaping step (e.g., grinding,boring) performed after the opening is formed in the vessel 100. Anouter weld (e.g., U-groove weld) is optionally applied around the outercircumference Co-5 of the flange 510 on the outside of the vessel 100.

During filling operations, vapor optionally enters and/or escapes thevessel 100 via the vapor equalizing connection assembly 500 depending onthe pressure in a vapor space formed in an upper portion of the vessel100. Exchange of vapor between a bulk fill tank (not shown) and thevessel 100 via the assembly 500 may equalize a vapor pressure of thebulk fill tank relative to that of the vessel 100.

As further illustrated in FIG. 6, the fluid connections optionallyinclude a liquid fill connection assembly 600 (e.g., spray fillconnection assembly). The assembly 600 optionally includes a flange 610(e.g., an annular flange) having an opening 620 (e.g., circular opening)therethrough. The flange 610 is optionally mounted in an openingprovided in the pressure vessel, e.g., in the plate 112d of head 110 asillustrated. The flange 610 (e.g., the opening 620 thereof and/or theouter circumference thereof) optionally defines an axis A-6 which isoptionally normal to the opening in which the flange 610 is mounted(e.g., normal to a plane defined by the opening). A portion of theflange 610 (e.g., a central, widened portion as illustrated) isoptionally flush with the surface of the pressure vessel. The opening620 is optionally in fluid communication with a tube 630 which extendsto an upper portion of the pressure vessel 100. An upper portion of thetube 630 is optionally supported by a bracket 632 mounted (e.g., bywelding, optionally prior to heat treatment) to an interior surface ofthe vessel 100. In some embodiments (e.g., embodiments in which thevessel is heat treated, such as by quenching and tempering, prior toinstallation of the tube 630) the bracket 632 is optionally mounted to areinforcement pad 633 which is in turn mounted (e.g., by welding) to aninterior surface of the vessel 100.

In installation of the flange 610, an inner weld (e.g., flush weld) isoptionally applied within a circumferential groove Ci-6 (e.g., av-shaped groove) on the interior surface of the vessel and disposedradially between the outer surface of the flange and the opening in thevessel 100. The groove Ci-6 may be formed by the angle of the outersurface of the flange relative to the inner surface of the opening inthe vessel 100, which may be determined by the shape of the outersurface of the flange and/or by the shape of the inner surface of theopening, which may be modified by a shaping step (e.g., grinding,boring) performed after the opening is formed in the vessel 100. Anouter weld (e.g., U-groove weld) is optionally applied around the outercircumference Co-6 of the flange 610 on the outside of the vessel 100.

During filling operations, a fluid commodity (e.g., a fuel such aspropane) optionally enters the vessel 100 via the liquid fill connectionassembly 600.

In some embodiments, (e.g., those in which the vessel 100 is heattreated such as by quenching and tempering) reinforcement pads may beused to mount additional components to the vessel indirectly. Bafflemounting pads 172 (e.g., mounted in a circumferential array about theinterior surface of the shell 170 as illustrated) may be used to mountbaffles (not shown) extending diametrically across the interior volumeof the vessel 100 on order to disrupt the movement of fluid within thevessel. Light bar mounting pads 193 may be used to mount light bars 192a, 192 b, which optionally support light fixtures. Line support mountingpads 194 (e.g., mounted in a generally aligned array to the rear head110 as illustrated) may also be used to mount line supports forsupporting electrical harnesses and other lines to be routed across theouter surface of the vessel 100.

The vessel 100 optionally includes a manway 190 which is optionallyremovably mounted (e.g., bolted) to the vessel, such as on the rear head110 as illustrated, and optionally sized to allow a maintenance operatorto enter and exit the vessel.

In an exemplary embodiment of the vessel 100, the vessel is sized tocontain 3700 gallons of fluid commodity (e.g., fuel). In such anembodiment, the shell 170 optionally has a radius Ro of 42 inches, shownin FIG.1 with respect to a central horizontal plane Pch of the vessel100. In the same exemplary embodiment, a shell length Lh of the shell170 is optionally 102.5 inches and the overall length Lv of the vessel100 is optionally 186.5 inches.

The shell 170 and heads 110, 120 have wall thicknesses Ts, Th,respectively, which are optionally selected in accordance with thespecified design pressure, diameter and material properties of thevessel 100. As an example, a 3700-gallon embodiment may be made ofhigh-strength steel (e.g., ASME 517E), and the head thickness Th isoptionally less than a quarter inch (e.g., 0.22 inches or 0.2 inches)and the thickness Ts is optionally less than a half inch (e.g., 0.37inches or 0.375 inches). It should be appreciated that the use ofhigh-strength steel may effectively decrease the lower end of a suitablerange of material thicknesses, thus reducing the total weight of thetank and permitting a larger payload (e.g., 3700 gallons) on a smallervehicle (e.g., a truck having a single rear axle such as the 223-inchwheelbase exemplary vehicle described herein). In the variousembodiments described herein, the wall thickness Th is optionallygreater than or equal to the wall thicknesses Ts. The wall thicknessesTh of heads 110, 120 are optionally equal or approximately equal.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-10, the vessel 100 is shown mounted to a chassis220 of a vehicle 200 (e.g., a fuel delivery truck such as a propanebobtail). The chassis 220 optionally includes one or more longitudinallyextending truck frame rails 222. The vehicle 200 may be a single-axlevehicle having a front axle 210 a and a single rear axle 210 b asillustrated. In other embodiments, the vehicle 200 may be a double-axlevehicle having two rear axles. In various embodiments, the chassis 220may be rigidly coupled to the vehicle or may be articulated to pivotabout a vertical axis relative to the vehicle cab. The vehicle 200 maycomprise a fluid delivery control system having features andfunctionality in common with the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,975,162and 5,823,235, and 6,216,719, all of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety herein.

In an exemplary vehicle embodiment (e.g., an embodiment configured tosupport the exemplary 3700-gallon vessel described above), a wheelbaseLb of the vehicle (e.g., the distance between the front axle 210 a and asingle rear axle 210 b) may be 223 inches and a chassis length Lc of thevehicle may be 209 and 5/16 inches. As shown in the illustratedembodiment, the rearward first annular seam 119 may be disposed forwardof the rear axle 210 b along the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 9, a rearward portion 900 of the vehicle optionallyincludes a deck 901 optionally comprising a left deck portion 910-1 andright deck portion 910-2, which portions may be laterally spaced apartas illustrated. The rearward portion 900 of the vehicle also optionallyincludes a bumper 902 optionally comprising a left bumper portion 920-1and a right bumper portion 920-2, which portions may be laterally spacedapart as illustrated. The bumper 902 also optionally comprises a centralbumper portion 930, which is optionally disposed beneath and mounted tolower surfaces of the left and right bumper portions 920-1, 920-2; inother embodiments, the central bumper portion 930 is generally parallelwith the left and right bumper portions 920-1, 920-2, and in suchembodiments the bumper 902 may comprise a unitary structure.

The deck 901 optionally supports various apparatus for use by theoperator in controlling and monitoring fluid flow to and from the vessel100. In various embodiments, such apparatus may be in fluidcommunication with the vessel 100. As illustrated, the deck 901 maysupport a meter assembly 240 in fluid communication with the vessel 100and optionally configured to measure and display an amount of fluiddispensed from the vessel. The deck 901 may also support a vapordischarge assembly 230 for supporting a hose and nozzle configured todischarge vapor from the vessel 100. The deck 901 may also support aliquid discharge assembly 250 for supporting a hose and nozzleconfigured to discharge liquid from the vessel 100, e.g., via the meterassembly 240.

Conduit assemblies 810, 820 (e.g., piping assemblies) optionally extendgenerally rearward (and optionally generally downward) from the vessel100 and are optionally in fluid communication with the interior volumeof the vessel via the vapor equalizing connection assembly 500 andliquid fill connection assembly 600, respectively.

The liquid fill conduit assembly 820 optionally comprises a conduit 827(e.g., pipe) mounted to the liquid fill connection assembly 600 (e.g.,by threading in the threaded opening 620 thereof). The conduit 827 isoptionally downwardly angled (e.g., at an angle greater than 45 degreesbelow horizontal such as 50 or 60 degrees below horizontal). The conduit827 optionally has a rearward, distal end positioned below an uppersurface 909 of deck 901. The conduit 827 is optionally connected to(e.g., threaded or welded to or formed as a unitary part with) a conduit826 (e.g., pipe), which optionally extends rearwardly of the conduit 827and optionally extends beneath the upper surface 909 of deck 901. Theconduit assembly 820 optionally extends through an opening formed in alaterally extending wall 915 of the deck 901. The opening in the wall915 may comprise a hole sized to receive a conduit of the conduitassembly therethrough or a notch having an open upper end sized toreceive a conduit of the conduit assembly downward into the notch; insome embodiments, the wall 915 may be omitted altogether. In theillustrated embodiment, a conduit 824 (e.g., pipe) extends rearwardlythrough the wall 915 and is optionally connected to the conduit 826 by afitting 825 (e.g., a threaded fitting) which is optionally disposedforward of forward wall 915; in other embodiments, the conduit 826 mayinstead extend directly through the forward wall 915. The conduit 824(or conduit 826 in some embodiments) is optionally connected at arearward, distal end to a valve 823 (e.g., on-off valve) optionallyconfigured to selectively close the conduit assembly 810 to fluid flowby actuation of a controller 822 (e.g., knob, lever, solenoid). As shownin FIG. 10, a removable (e.g., threaded) cap 821 optionally selectivelycloses a nozzle 829 optionally positioned at a rearward distal end ofthe valve 823. In operation, the cap 821 may be removed for connectionof the nozzle 829 to a fill hose and the valve 823 opened usingcontroller 822 to commence filling operations. One or more of thecontroller 822, valve 823, nozzle 829 and cap 821 are optionallydisposed rearward (and optionally upstream) of the wall 915; in someembodiments. One or more of the controller 822, valve 823, nozzle 829and cap 821 are optionally disposed at least partially within an openvolume Vo. In some embodiments, the open volume Vo comprises an openspace disposed within a bounding volume (e.g., minimum bounding volume,bounding box, minimum bounding box, etc.) of the deck 901. Othercomponents such as a brake interlock assembly (not shown) may also beassociated with the conduit assembly 820 and optionally disposedrearward of the wall 915 and optionally at least partially within theopen volume Vo.

The vapor equalizer conduit assembly 810 optionally comprises a seriesof conduits such as pipes (not illustrated) similar to those of theliquid fill conduit assembly 820 and mounted to the vapor equalizingconnection assembly 500 (e.g., by threading in the threaded opening 520thereof). The conduit assembly optionally extends optionally beneath theupper surface 909 of deck 901 through the wall 915 and optionallyincludes a valve 813 and associated controller 812 disposed rearward ofthe wall 915, as well as a rearward, distal nozzle 819 optionally sealedby a cap 811, also optionally disposed rearward of the wall 915.

In various embodiments, one or both of the conduit assemblies 810, 820may comprise a conduit made of a single pipe or a plurality of pipeswhich may be welded or joined together by one or more fittings. Invarious embodiments, one or both of the nozzles 819, 829 may be disposedat or approximately at the height of chassis 220 (e.g., one or moretruck frame rails 222 thereof). In various embodiments, one or both ofthe nozzles 819, 829 may be disposed approximately at a waist height ofan operator standing generally behind the deck 901. In variousembodiments, the open volume Vo is at least partially at orapproximately at the height of the chassis (e.g., one or more truckframe rails thereof).

It should be appreciated that the positions and orientations of thevapor equalizer opening 520 and the liquid fill opening 620 areconducive to the routing of the associated conduit assemblies 810, 820below the upper surface 909 of deck 901 and through the wall 915. Inorder to position the openings 520, 620 adjacent to the forward end ofdeck 901 and optionally adjacent to the upper surface 909 thereof, theopenings are optionally positioned at an angle A (e.g., greater than 45degrees such as 50 or 60 degrees) below horizontal, and the axes A-5 andA-6 are optionally also aligned with a plane Po disposed at angle Abelow horizontal (see FIG. 1). It should be appreciated that in someembodiments, the openings 520, 620 may not be at equal lateral offsetsor vertical positions. The openings 520, 620 are also optionallydisposed relatively low on the vessel 100, e.g., at heights H-5, H-6measured below the central horizontal axis Pch of the vessel,respectively (see FIG. 3). Heights H-5, H-6 are optionally each greaterthan three-quarters (e.g., 80 percent, 85 percent, 86 percent, 86.6percent, 87 percent, 90 percent, 95 percent) of the radius Ro of thevessel. The openings 520, 620 are optionally disposed below the otherfluid connections on the rear head 110 of the vessel 100. The openings520, 620 are optionally disposed at a height just above (or lateral to)the upper ends of the rails 177-1, 177-2. A single horizontal planeoptionally intersects both the rail mounting pads 179 and the flanges510, 610. The relatively low position of openings 520, 620 relative toother vessel features and geometry is particularly conducive to conduitrouting in relatively tall vessel embodiments such as the 3700-gallonexemplary embodiment described herein.

In order to position the openings 520, 620 along vertical planesintersecting the wall 915 (which as described herein is a recessedcentral portion of the deck 901), the openings 520, 620 are optionallydisposed relatively close to a central vertical plane Pcv of the vessel,e.g., at distances D-5, D-6 therefrom (see FIG. 3) which are optionallyless than about 3/20 (e.g., 12 percent, about ten percent, between 5 and10 percent) of the radius Ro of the vessel 100. In some embodiments,openings 520, 620 are positioned such that the portions of conduitassemblies extending rearwardly therefrom (e.g., the conduit 827 ofconduit assembly 820) are positioned inboard of other conduits in thevehicle 200 such as conduit 242, which may place the meter assembly 240(and/or the liquid discharge assembly 250) in fluid communication withthe interior volume of the vessel 100.

As may be illustrated by comparing FIG. 7 (showing right sidewall 914-2of right deck portion 910-2) and FIG. 8 (in which the sidewall 914-2 andother parts of the deck 901 are not shown), the right deck portion 910-2and right sidewall 914-2 at least partially conceal and protectrearward, distal portions of the conduit assemblies 810, 820 (e.g., thevalves and nozzles thereof) from the right side. Similarly, the leftdeck portion 910-1 and a left sidewall (not shown) thereof at leastpartially conceal and protect the rearward, distal portions of theconduit assemblies 810, 820 from the left side.

Turning to FIG. 10, the rearward, distal portions of the conduitassemblies 810, 820 (e.g., those portions of the assemblies disposedrearward of wall 915, optionally including the valve, controller, nozzleand/or cap of each conduit assembly) are optionally disposed at leastpartially within an open volume Vo. The open volume Vo may be at leastpartially defined at lateral sides thereof by inboard sidewalls 912-1,912-2 of the left and right deck portions 910-1, 910-2, respectively.The open volume may be at least partially defined at lateral sidesthereof by inboard sidewalls of the left and right bumper portions920-1, 920-2, respectively. The open volume Vo may be at least partiallydefined at a lower portion thereof by a floor 917 (which optionallyextends rearwardly along a direction below horizontal and is optionallywelded at a forward end thereof to the wall 915), which optionallyextends from the wall 915 downward toward an upper surface 932 of thecentral bumper portion 930. The open volume Vo may be at least partiallydefined by the upper surface 932 of the central bumper portion 930. Theopen volume Vo may be open at a rearward side thereof, permitting anoperator to access the conduit assemblies 810, 820. The open volume Vomay be open at an upper side thereof, and the controllers 812 may extendthrough the open upper side as illustrated in FIG. 10. It should beappreciated that in some embodiments the open volume Vo may beselectively enclosed, e.g., by a hinged or sliding housing (not shown)which may be mounted to the deck 901. In some embodiments, thetransverse width of the open volume Vo may optionally correspond to thespace between the truck frame rails (e.g., the rails supporting thedeck).

It should be appreciated that the open volume Vo and the rearward,distal portions of the conduit assemblies 810, 820 are optionallydisposed at least partially within a recessed portion of the deck 901,which is optionally recessed forwardly (e.g., to the wall 915) andoptionally recessed downwardly (e.g., to the floor 917). It should beappreciated that the open volume Vo is optionally disposed at leastpartially within a recessed portion of the bumper 902, which isoptionally recessed downwardly (e.g., to the upper surface 932 of thecentral bumper portion 930).

Turning now to FIG. 11 through FIG. 13, a vessel 1100 is shown mountedto a vehicle 1200. The vessel 1100 optionally includes generally similarfeatures to the vessel 100 described herein. The vehicle 1200 optionallyincludes generally similar features to the vehicle 200 described herein,optionally including a rearward portion 1300 comprising a bumper 1302and a deck 1301 for supporting various components which are notillustrated in FIG. 12 but may be generally similar to the assembliessupported on the deck of the vehicle 200 described herein.

The deck 1301 may comprise left and right deck portions 1310-1, 1310-2,respectively. The deck 1301 optionally includes an upper surface 1309which is optionally extends along the lateral length of the deck. Thebumper 1302 optionally comprises left and right bumper portions 1320-1,1320-2, respectively. In some embodiments, the bumper 1302 furthercomprises a central bumper portion 1330 which may be recessed downwardlyfrom (e.g., mounted to undersides of) the left and right bumperportions; in other embodiments, the bumper 1302 comprises a singleunitary part which may include a similarly recessed (e.g., downwardlyrecessed, forwardly recessed) bumper portion or may have a generallyplanar upper surface. A wall 1315 of the deck 1301 is optionallyrecessed forwardly relative to the rearward surfaces of the left andright deck portions 1310-1, 1310-2, respectively.

An open volume Vo′ is optionally defined at lateral sides thereof byinboard surfaces of the left and right deck portions 1310-1, 1310-2,respectively and/or by inboard surfaces of the left and right bumperportions 1320-1, 1320-2, respectively. The open volume Vo′ is optionallydefined at a lower side thereof by the bumper 1302, e.g., by an uppersurface of the central bumper portion 1330. The open volume Vo′ isoptionally open at rearward and upper sides thereof, but may be closedby the operator using structure such a gate or door (not shown) which insome embodiments may be pivotally or slidingly mounted to the deckand/or bumper to selectively cover the open volume Vo′. The open volumeVo′ is optionally defined at a forward end thereof by wall 1315, whichmay be oriented vertically as illustrated or angled with respect tovertical (e.g., at between 0 and 90 degrees, between 0 and 45 degrees,at 10 degrees, at 20 degrees, at 30 degrees, at 45 degrees, or at 60degrees).

A vapor equalizing connection coupling 510′ is optionally in fluidcommunication with a conduit assembly 1410 (e.g., piping assembly)including a conduit 1416, which optionally extends rearwardly anddownwardly from the vessel 1100 to a distal, rearward end which isoptionally disposed at least partially lower than the deck 1301, e.g.,lower than the upper surface 1309 of the deck. The conduit assembly 1410optionally extends through the wall 1315 and optionally extends at leastpartially into the open volume Vo′, e.g., with a nozzle thereofpositioned at least partially within the open volume Vo′. The vaporequalizing connection coupling and assembly are optionally generallysimilar to the liquid fill coupling and assembly described in moredetail below.

A liquid fill coupling 610′ is optionally in fluid (e.g., vapor)communication with a conduit assembly 1420 including a conduit (e.g.,pipe) 1426, which optionally extends rearwardly and downwardly from thevessel 1100 to a distal, rearward end which is optionally disposed atleast partially lower than the deck 1301, e.g., lower than the uppersurface 1309 of the deck. The conduit assembly 1420 optionally extendsthrough the wall 1315 and optionally extends at least partially into theopen volume Vo′, e.g., with a nozzle thereof positioned at leastpartially within the open volume Vo′.

Referring to FIG. 13, the liquid fill conduit assembly 1420 isillustrated in dotted lines due to concealment and protection from theright side by the right deck portion 1310-2 (e.g., by an outboardsurface 1314-2 thereof). During filling operations, as fluid (e.g.,fuel) enters the spray conduit assembly 1420, it optionally passesthrough a nozzle 1429 coupled (e.g., threaded) to a fill hose (notshown) and selectively secured by a cap 1421 (e.g., a threaded cap). Thefluid then optionally passes through a valve 1423 (e.g., on-off valve)which is optionally selectively closed by a controller 1422 (e.g., ahandle as illustrated). The fluid then optionally passes through aconduit section 1424 (e.g., pipe section) which optionally passesthrough an opening (e.g., hole or notch) in the wall 1315. The conduitsection 1424 is optionally disposed lower than (e.g., below) the uppersurface 1309 of the deck 1301. The fluid then optionally passes througha joint (e.g., an elbow joint such as a 45 degree elbow joint or 60degree elbow joint) optionally mounted to a forward portion the conduitsection 1424. The joint 1425 is optionally disposed forward of the wall1315 and is optionally disposed lower than (e.g., below) the deck. Thefluid then optionally passes through a conduit 1426 which optionallyextends forwardly and upwardly from a distal end (which is optionallydisposed lower than the upper surface 1309 of the deck) to a proximateend (which is optionally disposed higher than and forward of the uppersurface 1309 of the deck). The fluid then optionally passes through afitting 1427 (e.g., threaded fitting) which optionally joins the conduit1426 to the liquid fill coupling 610′. The fluid then optionally entersthe vessel 1100 via the liquid fill coupling 610′.

The liquid fill coupling 610′ may be joined (e.g., welded such as byfillet welding) to an opening provided in the vessel 1100. The liquidfill coupling 610′ optionally defines a central axis Ao (e.g., thecentral axis of an opening provided therethrough or the central axis ofan outer circumference thereof) which may be disposed at an obtuse anglerelative to a plane Pn defined by the circumference of the opening in towhich the coupling 610′ is joined. The axis Ao may also be normal to theplane Pn in some embodiments.

Some or all of the cap 1421, nozzle 1429, valve 1423 and controller 1422are optionally disposed at least partially within the open volume Vo′and are optionally disposed rearward of the wall 1315. Correspondingfeatures of the vapor equalizing conduit assembly 1410 are optionallyalso housed within the open volume Vo′ and are optionally disposedrearward of the wall 1315. It should be appreciated that the operatormay access the conduit assemblies and nozzles thereof more easily thanif the nozzles were located above and/or rearward of the deck 1301,e.g., generally adjacent to the couplings 510′, 610′.

In some exemplary embodiments, the vessel 1100 may be sized to contain asmaller volume (e.g., 3200 gallons) than the vessel 100 and may have asmaller radius (e.g., 40 inches) and/or longer overall length (e.g.,177.25 inches) than the vessel 100. In such embodiments, the vessel 1100may be formed from a mild steel such as ASME 612 and the shell thereofmay have a thickness greater than that of the vessel 100 (e.g., 0.5inches). In such embodiments, the vehicle 1200 may have a longerwheelbase than that of the vehicle 200 and the rearward annular seam ofthe vessel 1100 may be disposed forward of the rear axle of the vehicle1200.

Referring to FIGS. 18-20, various alternative embodiments areillustrated. In each embodiment of FIGS. 18-20, a fluid connection 1810(e.g., a liquid fill connection such as a conventional propane truckspray fill connection and/or a vapor connection such as a conventionalpropane truck vapor connection) of a vessel 1800 (e.g., a conventionalvessel of a propane delivery vehicle such as a propane bobtail) isfluidly coupled to a nozzle 1830 which is accessible by an operator forconnection to an external tank, vehicle or other apparatus.

In the embodiment of FIG. 18, a conduit 1820A (e.g., pipe assembly suchas a rigid or flexible pipe assembly) fluidly couples the connection1810 to the nozzle 1830. The nozzle 1830 is optionally disposed aboveand/or adjacent to an upper surface of a deck 1900A. The conduit 1820Aoptionally extends downward to a point above and/or adjacent to theupper surface of deck 1900A. The nozzle 1830 is optionally disposedforward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end ofthe deck 1900A. The conduit 1820A optionally extends rearwardly to apoint slightly forward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.)a rear end of the deck 1900A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 19, a conduit 1820B (e.g., pipe assembly suchas a rigid or flexible pipe assembly) fluidly couples the connection1810 to the nozzle 1830. The nozzle 1830 is optionally disposed at leastpartially below an upper surface of a deck 1900B. The nozzle 1830 isoptionally disposed at least partially within an open volume 1910B ofthe deck 1900B. The open volume 1910B optionally extends transverselyacross part or all of the width of the deck 1900B. The open volume 1910Bis optionally disposed within a bounding volume Vb (e.g., bounding box,minimum bounding box, minimum bounding volume) of the deck 1900B; forexample, a minimum bounding box of the deck may comprise the smallesttheoretical rectangular prism that would include the entire deck. Theconduit 1820B optionally extends below the upper surface of the deck1900B (e.g., through an opening 1902B in the deck 1900B as illustrated,or in other embodiments at a point forward of the upper surface of deck1900B). The conduit 1820B optionally extends through a rear wall 1912Bof the deck 1900B; the rear wall 1912B optionally comprises a forwardwall of the open volume 1910B. The nozzle 1830 is optionally disposedforward of (e.g., slightly forward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end ofthe deck 1900A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 20, a conduit 1820C (e.g., pipe assembly suchas a rigid or flexible pipe assembly) fluidly couples the connection1810 to the nozzle 1830. The nozzle 1830 is optionally disposed at leastpartially below an upper surface of a deck 1900C. The conduit 1820Coptionally extends into an open volume 1910C of a deck 1900C. The openvolume 1910C optionally extends transversely across part or all of thewidth of the deck 1900C. The conduit 1820C optionally extends into theopen volume 1910C forward of a rear wall 1912C of the deck 1900C. Therear wall 1912C optionally comprises a forward wall of the open volume1910C. The nozzle 1830 is optionally disposed forward of (e.g., slightlyforward of, adjacent to, etc.) a rear end of the deck 1900A.

It should be appreciated that certain ergonomic and other benefits whichmay be provided by some or all of the various conduit assembliesdescribed herein are not necessarily dependent on the vessel sizing,material selection, material processing, material thickness, and fluidconnection installations also described herein. It should also beappreciated that in some embodiments the conduit assemblies (e.g., vaporequalizing and liquid fill) may be modified to include unitary conduitsand/or flexible conduits such as rubber hoses. Although certainadvantageous positioning and installation features are recited withregard to inlet assemblies (e.g., vapor equalizing and liquid fill)herein, the same features may be applied to outlets or other fluidconnections on the vessel. It should be appreciated that althoughcertain vessels and vehicles are described as fuel cargo tanks and fueldelivery vehicles herein, the vessels and vehicles described could beused to transport and deliver other fluids in the liquid and/or gasphase. It should also be appreciated that the vessels described hereincould be stationary or mounted to a portable frame (e.g., skid) ratherthan being mounted to a vehicle.

Autogas Delivery System Embodiments

Referring to FIG. 14, a fluid delivery vehicle 1600 is illustratedhaving a fuel vessel 1610 (e.g., propane vessel). The fuel vessel 1610is optionally in fluid communication with an autogas (e.g., liquefiedpetroleum gas vehicle fuel) delivery system 1700 which is described inmore detail according to various embodiments below. The fuel vessel 1610is optionally in fluid (e.g., vapor) communication with a vapor nozzle1614 and liquid fill nozzle 1616, which may be conventional nozzles ormay have some or all common features with one or more of the liquid filland vapor nozzle embodiments described elsewhere herein. An outlet 1612of the vessel 1610 is optionally in fluid communication with an offloadnozzle 1624 (e.g., a hose nozzle) via offload piping 1620. The offloadpiping 1620 optionally comprises conventional propane delivery vehiclepiping. A pump 1622 is optionally in fluid communication with theoffload piping 1620 for pumping fuel from the vessel 1610 through theoffload piping 1620.

Referring to FIGS. 14-16, the autogas delivery system 1700 is optionallyhoused in a cabinet 1701, the rearward side of which is not shown inFIG. 14 for clarity and the top of which is not shown in FIG. 16 forclarity. The autogas delivery system 1700 optionally includes a meter1710 in fluid communication with the vessel 1610. The meter 1710 isoptionally in fluid communication with a hose 1742 (e.g., via anintermediate conduit 1712 such a flexible hose). The hose 1742 may be ¾inch in diameter or other suitable diameter. The hose 1742 is optionallysupported on a hose reel 1740. A terminal end of hose 1742 is optionallyprovided with a nozzle 1750 (e.g., an autogas nozzle). The nozzle 1750is optionally selectively supported on a holster 1758. The meter 1710optionally calculates and/or displays the amount of fuel delivered viathe nozzle 1750.

The autogas delivery system 1700 optionally includes a pump dischargeline 1720 which places the meter 1710 and/or the nozzle 1750 in fluidcommunication with the offload piping 1620 for delivering fuel to thenozzle 1750. The pump discharge line 1720 optionally includes a valve1723 (e.g., a ball valve or other shut-off valve). The pump dischargeline 1720 optionally includes a pipe 1724 or other conduit extendingthrough an opening in a wall 1702 of the cabinet 1701. The pipe 1724 isoptionally in fluid communication with a pipe 1726 which extendsgenerally forwardly in some embodiments. The pipe 1726 is optionallyremovably coupled to the pipe 1724 by a removable coupling 1725 such asa swivel coupling. The pump discharge line 1720 is optionally fluidlycoupled to the offload piping 1620 at a flange 1727 or other coupling.In operation, fuel such as autogas is pumped moves from the vessel 1610through the offload piping and to autogas delivery system 1700 via thepump discharge line 1720. The pump discharge line 1720 optionally has asmaller pipe diameter than a pipe connecting the vessel 1610 to theoffload nozzle 1624. The autogas delivery system 1700 optionallyoperates at a lower flow rate (and/or optionally at a higher pressure)than the offload nozzle 1624. In some embodiments, an additional bypasssystem (not shown) which may incorporate a bypass valve (not shown) isemployed to maintain a given pressure or pressure range in the autogasdelivery system 1700.

The autogas delivery system 1700 optionally includes a vapor line 1730which places the meter 1710 in fluid (e.g., vapor) communication with avapor connection 1630 of the vessel 1610. The vapor connection 1630 isoptionally selectively closable, e.g. by a valve. The vapor line 1730optionally includes a conduit 1732 such as a hose or other flexibleconduit or a pipe. The conduit 1732 is optionally coupled at a first endto a fluid coupling 1733 (e.g., a bulkhead). The coupling 1733 isoptionally supported by and/or optionally extends through the wall 1702of the cabinet 1701. The meter 1710 is optionally in fluid communicationwith a conduit 1734 such as a flexible conduit (e.g., via the conduit1732 and/or coupling 1733). In operation, vapor is optionally exchangedbetween the autogas delivery system 1700 and the vessel 1610 via thevapor line 1730.

Turning to FIG. 17, in some embodiments the nozzle 1750 comprises anautogas nozzle. The nozzle 1750 is optionally configured to deliver fuel(e.g., propane-based fuel, liquefied petroleum gas, autogas, etc.) to avehicle fuel tank. The nozzle 1750 optionally comprises an inlet 1751 inselective fluid communication with an outlet 1755. The nozzle 1750optionally comprises a handle 1752 configured to be held by an operator.The nozzle 1750 optionally includes a lever 1753 or other user interfaceselectively movable between an “open” position in which the inlet 1751is in fluid communication with outlet 1755 and a “closed” position inwhich the inlet 1751 is not in fluid communication with outlet 1755. Forexample, the lever 1753 optionally actuates a valve (not shown) whenmoved between the “open” and “closed” positions. The lever 1753 isoptionally disposed to be actuated by an operator using the same handused to hold the handle 1752. The outlet 1755 optionally includes acoupling (e.g., threaded coupling, claw coupling, etc.) for coupling thenozzle 1750 to a vehicle tank inlet (not shown). The outlet optionallyhas a “coupled” configuration and an “uncoupled” configuration. Thenozzle 1750 is optionally configured to disallow fluid flow therethroughwhen the outlet 1755 is not in a “coupled” configuration. In someembodiments, the nozzle 1750 comprises a ZVG 2 autogas nozzle (ACME,DISH or EURO style) available from ELAFLEX HIBY Tanktechnik in Hamburg,Germany. In other embodiments, the nozzle 1750 comprises a GPV14 LPGnozzle available from Staubli in Pfaffikon, Switzerland.

As used herein, references to forward and rearward are generally used inreference to the direction of travel T of the vehicle (e.g., to theright on the view of FIG. 2) unless otherwise indicated by the contextof the disclosure.

Dimensions and other values recited herein are provided for illustrativepurposes and are not intended to be limiting. Ranges recited herein arelikewise illustrative and non-limiting, and are intended to inclusivelyrecite all values within the range provided in addition to the maximumand minimum range values. Headings used herein are simply forconvenience of the reader and are not intended to be understood aslimiting or used for any other purpose.

Although various embodiments have been described above, the details andfeatures of the disclosed embodiments are not intended to be limiting,as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to thoseof skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure isintended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations andmodifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims andtheir equivalents. For example, any feature described for one embodimentmay be used in any other embodiment.

1. A fuel delivery apparatus for use with a vehicle having a fuel vesseland a rear deck, the fuel delivery apparatus comprising: a liquid fillconnection having a first opening in fluid communication with aninterior volume of the fuel vessel; a liquid fill nozzle, said liquidfill nozzle disposed at least partially within an open volume of saiddeck; and a first conduit, said first conduit fluidly coupled to saidliquid fill nozzle and to said liquid fill connection.
 2. The fueldelivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said open volume comprises arecess in said deck.
 3. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, whereinsaid first conduit extends through a portion of said deck.
 4. The fueldelivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first conduit extendsthrough a vertical wall of said deck.
 5. The fuel delivery apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said the rear deck comprises a left deck portion and aright deck portion, and wherein said liquid fill nozzle is disposedtransversely between said left deck portion and said right deck portion.6. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first conduitcomprises a rigid pipe.
 7. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim 1,wherein said liquid fill nozzle is disposed to be at the waist level ofan operator standing behind the rear deck.
 8. The fuel deliveryapparatus of claim 1, wherein the fuel vessel is supported on at leastone longitudinally extending rail, wherein said liquid fill nozzle isdisposed at least partially at the height of said rail.
 9. The fueldelivery apparatus of claim 8, wherein the said liquid fill connectionis disposed just above the height of said rail.
 10. The fuel deliveryapparatus of claim 8, wherein the said liquid fill connection isdisposed substantially higher than said rail.
 11. The fuel deliveryapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a vapor equalizing connectionhaving a second opening in fluid communication with said interior volumeof the fuel vessel; a vapor nozzle, said vapor nozzle disposed at leastpartially within said open volume in said deck; and a second conduit,said second conduit fluidly coupled to said vapor nozzle and to saidvapor equalizing connection.
 12. The fuel delivery apparatus of claim11, wherein said first conduit extends through a portion of said deck.13. A fuel delivery vehicle comprising: a fuel vessel; a deck; a fluidconnection, said fluid connection comprising at least one of a liquidfill connection and a vapor equalizing connection having, said fluidconnection having a first opening in fluid communication with aninterior volume of said fuel vessel; a nozzle, said nozzle disposed atleast partially within an open volume in said deck; and a conduit, saidconduit fluidly coupling said nozzle to said fluid connection.
 14. Thefuel delivery vehicle of claim 13, wherein said open volume is disposedwithin a minimum bounding box of said deck.
 15. The fuel deliveryvehicle of claim 13, wherein said conduit extends through a portion ofsaid deck.
 16. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 13, wherein said deckcomprises a left deck portion and a right deck portion, and wherein saidnozzle is disposed transversely between said left deck portion and saidright deck portion.
 17. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 13, whereinsaid nozzle is disposed to be at the waist level of an operator standingbehind said deck.
 18. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 13, furthercomprising: a first fuel delivery system supported on said deck, saidfirst fuel delivery system comprising a first hose and a first nozzle;and a second fuel delivery system supported on said deck, said secondfuel delivery system comprising a second hose having a diameter lessthan the first hose, and a second nozzle, the second nozzle comprisingan autogas delivery nozzle.
 19. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 13,wherein said fuel vessel is at least partially made of a high-strengthsteel, and wherein a shell thickness Ts of said fuel vessel is less thana half-inch.
 20. The fuel delivery vehicle of claim 13, wherein saidfluid connection comprises a flange, wherein said flange defines acentral axis, wherein said central axis is generally normal to said fuelvessel.